By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Director: Matt Ross
Starring: Annalise Basso | George MacKay | Kathryn Hahn | Nicholas Hamilton | Samantha Isler | Shree Crooks | Steve Zahn | Trin Miller | Viggo Mortensen
Country: united_states
Year: 2016
Running time: 118
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3553976/reference
Paul says: “CAPTAIN FANTASTIC is the story of Ben, who lives with his six children in a remote area of the Pacific Northwest. He teaches them a blend of physical and survivalist training, rigorous academics, and anti-establishment socialist politics. It would be easy to portray this character as a sort of clown, yet Mortensen effectively conveys the balance of discipline and love that a single parent must provide, not to mention the challenge of controlling six children in the middle of nowhere. This utopian situation doesn’t last long, as Ben’s absent wife’s situation eventually requires his re-engagement with “normal” society. It is here where we see his somewhat arrogant façade weaken, as Ben is forced to deal with the wider reality of the world beyond his homestead. In dealing with his wife’s family and society at large, Mortensen’s overconfident bluster gives way to self-doubt and frustration, as he accepts that there is indeed a whole world beyond his control. Mortensen presents a multi-layered character, a struggling idealistic parent frankly in a bit over his head, rather than simply a cartoonish iconoclast.”